The role of small christian communities in evangelization of Yerya Parish in Light of Ecclesia in Africa

Abstract

Small Christian Communities are vital in the work of evangelization of Yerya Parish, and a more profound study has been carried out to bring to light their roles. These Small Christian Communities (SCC) are small units of families that come together to share the word of God weekly, sitting in a circular form, guided by the seven steps of Gospel-sharing and the Lectio Divina method. Small Christian Communities' work is to evangelise themselves; subsequently, they can bring the good news to others. The research outlines their roles and their understanding. These Small Christian Communities give minimal value according to what they are to contribute to the evangelisation. Some are inactive, and some members are lazy. Some receive minimal formation, leading to their roles not being realised and yet they are seen as potential units of making the Church grow. Given that Christ Jesus gave a mandate in Mathew 28:19-20, “go to all the nations…”, these Small Christian Communities play different roles in evangelization like teaching the word of God, helping people to practice bible study, and encouraging people to receive the seven sacraments. Members of SCC) support Church activities. Members are taught to choose a life that is worthy for them and their growth of the members spiritually. They are agents of making the word of God easily reach the people, help solve some challenges among Christians in light of the gospel and increase Christians' faith. Some challenges deter their roles in Evangelization; conflicts among families, limited knowledge of these Small Christian Communities, ignorance of members, limited materials to use, pretence in sharing the word of God, languages barrier, monetary attachments, disunity among families, and limited support from the members. To mitigate these challenges, more leaders have been trained to facilitate these SCC with the help of Priests, Religious, Catechists and the Bishop the head. Recommendations have been suggested to see their roles realized and challenges solved. Seminars have been encouraged to begin in parishes, provision of the requirements, ongoing deep catechesis, visitation and dialogue with the members, making formal awareness to the people and more so, offer Mystagogical Catechesis. The Christians of Yerya Parish have been mostly considered. The researcher made an assurance to work hand in hand with the Parish authority to see to it that what has been dealt with in the research (as the research being the first to be written in the parish about these Small Christian Communities) is applied with the help of the diocesan authority, so that the roles of Small Christian Communities are realised. The Church continues to grow to its greater heights.